Pacific arrived at the lovely Broxbourne ground on time (apart from the skipper, Jim Davies) to find the opposition there and champing at the bit. Jon Webley took over the captaincy and lost the toss and once the colts game had finished we got started on a warm overcast day. It was an early start at 12.30 due to the captains agreeing to schedule a break in the middle of the game for the football.

Pacific were given a solid start by Wiehahn and Hollman (2 off 28 balls) who saw off the handy opening bowlers. The change bowlers were not so good and Webley and Wiehahn capitalised in fine style with a partnership of 125 off 18 overs.

Wiehahn sensibly played the anchor role for 67 off 96 balls whilst Webley drove with tremendous authority to reach 62 off only 44 balls. Their departure and Rademaker’s run out (slipped over when sent back and was left looking like a ‘beached whale’) disrupted the flow of runs. However, Vanderpump played with his usual upright correct style and ran very well to make 51* off just 35 balls and with Davies (19*) supporting we were propelled to 231/5 off our 40 overs.

After a quick change round we took to the field and Mundie and Gleadow both claimed a wicket each to leave Barclays 20/2 off 8 overs by the break. After watching a poor but victorious England and a good tea we resumed under sunny skies.

Mundie bowled superbly with great variation to concede only 3 runs off his 8 overs. As a result Barclays never got going with their chase (despite Gleadow’s wayward bowling).

They were only 37/2 off 16 overs when the openers finished. Zubi (65) and Rakesh (24) played some shots but never kept up the rate and Rakesh skied Davies to Gleadow at cover. Rademaker and Davies bowled five good overs each to put the game beyond doubt.

Webley was then able to rotate the bowling to give everyone a game. Ian ‘Crespo’ Lay bowled very well, considering he had not bowled for a couple of years, and was loudly cheered on by local spectators. Hill bowled four overs and was unlucky not to get more than one wicket as he dropped a return chance (and beat the ground spectacularly in frustration after) and had a lofted shot drop between three fielders in the covers who left it for each other.

Hollman and Jones took over and claimed the last four wickets with Jones holding a great return catch to remove Zubi who had made a deserved fifty.